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Constantine A. Mantz, MD :: Physician Profile :: 21st Century Oncology 21stcenturyoncology.com | Directory of Medical Schools in Algeria iime.org | Algeria - GSK Worldwide - GlaxoSmithKline gsk.com | IPC members from Algeria pedschat.org |
Coordinates: 36°21′N 6°36′E / 36.35°N 6.6°E
Constantine (Arabic: قسنطينة) is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Regarded as the capital of eastern Algeria and the centre of its region, Constantine has a population of over 500,000 (750,000 with the agglomeration), making it the third largest city in the country after Algiers and Oran. Constantine is situated on a plateau at 640 metres above sea level. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine. The ravine is crossed by four bridges, including Pont Sidi M'Cid. Constantine has one university, the University of Constantine, which was founded in 1969. There are museums and important historical sites around the city. Constantine is the railhead of a prosperous and diverse agricultural area. It also a center of the grain trade and has flour mills, a tractor factory, and industries producing textiles, wool, linen, and leather goods[citation needed]. Algeria and Tunisia serve as its markets.
[edit] HistoryThe city was originally created by the Phoenicians, which they called the Sarim Batim (royal city). Later, this name was Cirta, which means, in Phoenician "city carved into the rock". The city was taken over by Numidia, the country of the Berber People after the defeat of the Phoenicians during the 3rd Punic war. In 112 BC the city was occupied by Jugurtha who defeated his half brother, Adherbal. The city later served as the base for Roman generals Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus and Gaius Marius in their war against Jugurtha. Later, with the removal of King Juba I and the remaining supporters of Pompey in Africa (c46), Julius Caesar gave special rights to the citizens of Cirta, now known as Colonia Sittlanorum. In 311, during the civil war between emperor Maxentius and usurper Domitius Alexander (a former governor of Africa), the city was destroyed. Rebuilt in 313, it was subsequently named after emperor Constantine the Great, who had defeated Maxentius. Conquered by the Vandals in 432, Constantine returned to the Byzantine exarchate of North Africa from 534 to 697. It was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century, receiving the name of Qusantina. The city recovered and in 12th century was again a prosperous market, with connection to Pisa, Genoa and Venice. Since 1529 it was intermittently part of Ottoman Empire, ruled by a Turkish bey (governor) subordinate to the dey of Algiers. Salah Bey, who ruled the city in 1770-1792, greatly embellished it and built much of the Muslim architecture still visible today. In 1826 the last Bey, Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Chérif, became the new head of state. He led a fierce resistance against French forces, which invaded Algeria four years later. By 13 October 1837 the territory was reconquered by France, and in 1848 it was incorporated into the colony of Algiers (Algeria). In World War II, during the campaign in North Africa (1942-43), Constantine and the nearby city of Sétif were used by the Allied forces as operational bases. [edit] Climate
[edit] PeopleMain article: People from Constantine, Algeria Constantine is the native city of the Islamic reformator Ben Badis. It is also the hometown of many noteworthy people in Algeria and France. 
[edit] Main sightsThe city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine.
Nearby is the Roman city of Tiddis and the megalithic monuments and burial grounds at Djebel Mazala Salluste. [edit] MiscellaneousConstantine is also known for its universities: Mentouri, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer., Zerzara, and The Islamic University of El amir Abdelkader, Constantine will have another huge University town under construction in the (nouvelle ville) Constantine's current zip code is 25000. Constantine was also one of the focal points of the novel Memory in the Flesh by Ahlam Mosteghanemi. [edit] International relationsMain article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Algeria [edit] Twin towns — Sister citiesConstantine is twinned with: [edit] References
[edit] Notes
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